Truck Driver Salary in Pennsylvania
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Pennsylvania. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$59,640
CDL-B Avg
$49,200
Non-CDL Avg
$47,870
Owner-Op Gross
$220,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Pennsylvania truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's cost of living is 2% below the national average. Your salary stretches further here than in most states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$59,640
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$60,857
After adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living index of 98, a CDL-A salary of $59,640 provides the same purchasing power as $60,857 in an average-cost area. This means your money goes further in Pennsylvania than the raw salary suggests.
Which Pennsylvania metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the Pennsylvania average scaled for metro size. Where two metros show the same number it is because they sit in the same population band — we do not hold data fine-grained enough to separate them, and we would rather say so than invent a difference.
Salary by City in Pennsylvania
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Pennsylvania, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | $66,797 | 93 | Rising |
| Harrisburg | $62,026 | 95 | Stable |
| Lehigh Valley | $62,026 | 99 | Stable |
| Scranton | $62,026 | 100 | Stable |
| Erie | $59,640 | 85 | Stable |
Salary Trend in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers solid trucking wages with excellent cost-adjusted pay. The I-81 corridor through the Lehigh Valley is one of America's densest warehouse districts, creating constant driver demand.
Pennsylvania vs National Average
| Category | PA | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $59,640 | $59,710 | $-70 |
| Cost of Living | 98 | 100 | -2 |
| Adjusted Pay | $60,857 | $59,710 | +$1,147 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Pennsylvania
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in Pennsylvania, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$55,000 - $77,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$60,000 - $84,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$61,500 - $87,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$62,500 - $88,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$63,000 - $89,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$64,500 - $91,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$66,000 - $93,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$69,000 - $97,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$56,000 - $79,000/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$46,000 - $65,000/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$52,000 - $73,500/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$52,500 - $74,500/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$57,000 - $80,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$58,000 - $82,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$55,000 - $77,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$45,000 - $63,500/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Pennsylvania
What do truck drivers make in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania CDL-A drivers average $59,640. Philadelphia drivers earn the most, while the Harrisburg/Lehigh Valley corridor offers strong wages with lower cost of living than Philadelphia.
Why is the Lehigh Valley a trucking hotspot?
The Lehigh Valley along I-78/I-81 contains over 100 million square feet of warehouse space. Amazon, FedEx, and dozens of 3PLs operate massive facilities there, creating enormous demand for local and regional drivers.
What are the challenges of trucking in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has some of the highest fuel taxes in the nation, steep Appalachian mountain grades, harsh winters, and heavy tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike ($100+ for trucks on some routes).
What does Pennsylvania pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in Pennsylvania
- Entry Level driver pay in Pennsylvania
- Mid Level driver pay in Pennsylvania
- Experienced driver pay in Pennsylvania
- Veteran driver pay in Pennsylvania